Wreck of sunk ro-ro may pose pollution risk
The Japanese coast guard is monitoring the site of the sunk ro-ro Byakko.
The wreck of the Japanese ro-ro, Byakko, that sank yesterday in the Kurushima Strait, is being monitored for pollution over fears fuel and other contaminants may leak into the environement.
The 11,454-gt Byakko sank after colliding with the Korean tanker Ulsan Pioneer in Japan’s inland sea near Imabari. Her master and two engineers are still missing.
The average depth of the inland sea is shallow at 38 metres and the vessel’s owners, Hokusei Kaiun, have the option of removing the pollutants or effecting a wreck removal.
Dan Nash of VesselsValue’ told TradeWinds that the ship had been transporting auto parts and rolling cargo in the inland sea where conditions are challenging.
“The Kurushima Strait is known for its fast tide and regarded as a choke point amongst sailors with notorious whirlpools. Of course, it is too early to know if this was the cause of the tragedy,” he said.
